From large projects to case consultation--interaction of alcohol research and policy in Finland.

The interaction of Finnish social alcohol research and alcohol policy will be discussed in this paper. We will examine the history of alcohol research, focusing on the extent that problems related to alcohol policy have been covered in research. We also deliberate upon such questions as to what extent changes in alcohol policy can be linked to the findings of research. Researchers began their work in the 1950s, hoping to find a solution to the problems met in alcohol policy. In the 1960s the era of alcohol policy-centred projects was followed by an era which aimed to increase the factual knowledge of alcohol not necessarily tied to alcohol policy questions. After 1969 alcohol policy questions gained renewed interest. Alcohol research has not directly caused many new measures, but it has influenced the public and private discussion about alcohol policy. Producing results and research reports has been an important way to affect both public discussions and policy making. However, participating in the decision making processes in its different stages has been an even more crucial way to affect alcohol policy. Particularly in the 1970s, the ideas and views presented in studies had fairly immediate and direct repercussions on both alcohol policy and practical measures.